In Nepal, dogs are treated like kings and queens in a yearly festival celebrating mans’ best friend.
In Nepal, millions of Hindus gather every fall for a festival of lights called “Diwali.” The guests of honor are dogs.
Dogs, which have been by our sides since ancient times, are loved for their loyalty, unconditional love, and protection.
In most cultures, especially Hindu, dogs are part of the family. Many owners think of them as their own children.
During the festival, they celebrate an event called Kukur Tihar, which is dedicated to dogs. On the second day of the five day event, people “worship” their pets by adorning them with flower garlands and marking them with a “tika” on the forehead.
In this memorial, the sacred animal is honored with a red powdered mark. The pictures showcasing these beautiful animals are absolutely heart warming.
This festival is not only for pet dogs. Stray dogs are honored in the same way.
Dogs are believed to be messengers of the Hindu god of death, and treating them like royalty is a way to appease the gods.
Dogs are also mentioned in the Hindu text Mahabharata, in which the king of righteousness – Yudhishthira – didn’t want to enter heaven without his furry friend.
